Managing Penis Problems – What to Expect from an STD Screening

Few people jump at the chance to have their most intimate parts pawed by a complete stranger, especially if the parts in question are sore, red or otherwise marred by illness. It's no surprise, then, that men with symptoms that could be attributed to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) would do almost anything to avoid either making or keeping a screening appointment. That's a shame, as screenings and proper penis care could keep some STD problems from putting a huge damper on a man's health and happiness. This step-by-step guide to an STD exam could help to alleviate some unfounded fears, and perhaps, the information will motivate at-risk men to get the help they need to keep their parts safe and sound. Step 1: Working With a Nurse In a typical medical appointment, a nurse or a medical assistant will handle the nitty-gritty details of preparing a man for his exam. This person might lead a man into the room in which the appointment will take place, as well as measuring the man's heart rate and blood pressure and taking his temperature. A medical assistant or nurse might also ask the patient to describe the reason for his visit. While patients can say anything at all in these conversations, most medical professionals will be on the alert for words that describe:

• Sexual encounters
• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Prior instances of illness

These are the sorts of phrases that might prompt further questions by the doctor, and it's the job of the nurse or medical assistant to get patients talking so that the doctors know which questions are most important to ask. Step 2: Stripping Down Once the interview is over, patients are given a bit of privacy in which to strip down, pop on a cotton robe and hop up on the exam table to prepare for the doctor. Doctors are usually thoughtful enough to knock before they come barging in so that patients have time to get settled. Step 3: Reiteration of Conversations When the doctor walks into the exam room, they have the benefit of the nurse’s notes, and they might ask for clarification on certain items or ask further questions to get all of the information needed to diagnose the problem. Once this talk is through, the physical examination is ready to roll. Step 4: Hands-On Work In a typical STD screening, doctors are looking for obvious signs of infection. Sometimes, a visual examination combined with a thorough interview gives the doctor all the information needed in order to make a diagnosis. Sometimes, however, doctors need to run more intensive tests in order to really determine what's going on with a man's vital equipment. Cotton swabs might be used to collect discharge, while slides might be pressed directly onto lesions to collect the affected tissue. Step 5: Giving a Sample Men might need to provide their doctors with samples of blood or urine, so those fluids can be examined in a laboratory for evidence of disease. Men asked to give these samples might be directed to a laboratory down the hall, and they're usually through with the process in minutes. Step 6: Waiting for Results Screening tests can take a few days to process, and those days can be full of worrying, pacing and otherwise freaking out. Expressing fears to patient friends is always a good idea, but men should be sure to resist the temptation to poke, pick or otherwise fool around with their sore bits until they know exactly what's happening down below. It is important to abstain from sex at this point, until the results are in and any necessary treatment is compete. After the sores are healed, using a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) enriched with vitamins and other essential nutrients can help to restore the skin’s naturally healthy appearance and leave it feeling smooth and responsive when a man is ready for action once more.